Pertussis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Diarrhea Exams and Tests The initial diagnosis is most often based on the symptoms. However, when the symptoms are not obvious, pertussis may be hard to diagnose. In very young infants, the symptoms may be caused by pneumonia instead. To know for sure, the health care provider may take a sample of mucus from the nasal secretions. The sample is sent to a lab and tested for pertussis. While this can offer an accurate diagnosis, the test takes some time. Most of the time, treatment is started before the results are ready. Some people may have a complete blood count that shows large numbers of lymphocytes. Treatment If started early enough, antibiotics such as erythromycin can make the symptoms go away more quickly. Unfortunately, most people are diagnosed too late, when antibiotics aren't very effective. However, the medicines can help reduce the person's ability to spread the disease to others. Infants younger than 18 months need constant supervision because their breathing may temporarily stop during coughing spells. Infants with severe cases should be hospitalized. An oxygen tent with high humidity may be used.

Fluids may be given through a vein if coughing spells are severe enough to prevent the person from drinking enough fluids. Sedatives (medicines to make you sleepy) may be prescribed for young children. Cough mixtures, expectorants, and suppressants are most often not helpful. These medicines should NOT be used. Outlook (Prognosis) In older children, the outlook is most often very good. Infants have the highest risk for death, and need careful monitoring. Possible Complications Dehydration Prevention DTaP vaccination , one of the recommended childhood immunizations, protects children against pertussis infection. DTaP vaccine can be safely given to infants. Five DTaP vaccines are recommended. They are most often given to children at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. The TdaP vaccine should be given at age 11 or 12. During a pertussis outbreak, unimmunized children under age 7 should not attend school or public gatherings. They should also be isolated from anyone known or suspected to be infected. This should last until 14 days after the last reported case.

It is also recommended that adults age 19 and older receive 1 dose of the TdaP vaccine against pertussis. TdaP is especially important for health care professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old. Pregnant women should get a dose of TdaP during every pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Alternative Names References Braman SS. Postinfectious cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1):138S-146S. PMID: 16428703 . Kim DK, Bridges CB, Harriman KH; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); ACIP Adult Immunization Work Group. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older -- United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015; 6;64(4):91-92.

PMID:25654609 . Long SS. Pertussis (Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW III, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 197. Strikas RA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); ACIP Child/Adolescent Immunization Work Group. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0 through 18 years -- United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015; 6;64(4):93-94. PMID: 25654610 . United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine information statement: Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). Available at: . Accessed August 7, 2015.

Read More Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Causes and Transmission | CDC Causes and Transmission Español: Causas y transmisión Causes Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system. The bacteria release toxins (poisons), which damage the cilia and cause airways to swell. Transmission Pertussis is a very contagious disease only found in humans. It is spread from person to person. People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space. Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Infected people are most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious. While pertussis vaccines are the most effective tool we have to prevent this disease, no vaccine is 100% effective.

If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person, of any age, can catch this very contagious disease. If you have been vaccinated but still get sick, the infection is usually not as bad. References Bisgard KM, Pascual FB, Ehresmann KR, et al. Infant pertussis: who was the source? Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004;23:985-89. Whooping cough | definition of whooping cough by Medical dictionary Whooping cough | definition of whooping cough by Medical dictionary Related to whooping cough: croup Whooping Cough Definition Whooping cough , also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease which causes classic spasms (paroxysms) of uncontrollable coughing, followed by a sharp, high-pitched intake of air which creates the characteristic "whoop" of the disease's name. Description Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordatella pertussis. B. pertussis causes its most severe symptoms by attaching itself to those cells in the respiratory tract which have cilia.

Cilia are small, hair-like projections that beat continuously, and serve to constantly sweep the respiratory tract clean of such debris as mucus, bacteria, viruses, and dead cells. When B. pertussis interferes with this normal, janitorial function, mucus and cellular debris accumulate and cause constant irritation to the respiratory tract, triggering coughing and increasing further mucus production. Whooping cough is a disease which exists throughout the world. While people of any age can contract whooping cough, children under the age of two are at the highest risk for both the disease and for serious complications and death . Apparently, exposure to B. pertussis bacteria earlier in life gives a person some immunity against infection with it later on. Subsequent infections resemble the common cold . Causes and symptoms Whooping cough has four somewhat overlapping stages: incubation, catarrhal stage, paroxysmal stage, and convalescent stage. An individual usually acquires B. pertussis by inhaling droplets infected with the bacteria coughed into the air by someone already suffering with the infection. Incubation is the symptomless period of seven to14 days after breathing in the B.

pertussis bacteria, and during which the bacteria multiply and penetrate the lining tissues of the entire respiratory tract. The catarrhal stage is often mistaken for an exceedingly heavy cold. The patient has teary eyes, sneezing, fatigue , poor appetite, and an extremely runny nose (rhinorrhea). This stage lasts about 10-14 days. The paroxysmal stage, lasting two to four weeks, begins with the development of the characteristic whooping cough. Spasms of uncontrollable coughing, the "whooping" sound of the sharp inspiration of air, and vomiting are all hallmarks of this stage. The whoop is believed to occur due to inflammation and mucous which narrow the breathing tubes, causing the patient to struggle to get air into his/her lungs; the effort results in intense exhaustion. The paroxysms (spasms) can be induced by over activity, feeding, crying, or even overhearing someone else cough. The mucus which is produced during the paroxysmal stage is thicker and more difficult to clear than the more watery mucus of the catarrhal stage, and the patient becomes increasingly exhausted attempting to clear the respiratory tract through coughing.

Severely ill children may have great difficult maintaining the normal level of oxygen in their systems, and may appear somewhat blue after a paroxysm of coughing, due to the low oxygen content of their blood. Such children may also suffer from swelling and degeneration of the brain (encephalopathy), which is believed to be caused both by lack of oxygen to the brain during paroxysms, and also by bleeding into the brain caused by increased pressure during coughing. Seizures may result from decreased oxygen to the brain. Some children have such greatly increased abdominal pressure during coughing that hernias result (hernias are the abnormal protrusion of a loop of intestine through a weak area of muscle). Another complicating factor during this phase is the development of pneumonia from infection with another bacterial agent; the bacteria takes hold due to the patient's already-weakened condition. If the patient survives the paroxysmal stage, recovery occurs gradually during the convalescent stage, usually taking about three to four weeks. However, spasms of coughing may continue to occur over a period of months, especially when a patient contracts a cold, or other respiratory infection.

Diagnosis Diagnosis based just on the patient's symptoms is not particularly accurate, as the catarrhal stage may appear to be a heavy cold, a case of the flu, or a simple bronchitis . Other viruses and tuberculosis infections can cause symptoms similar to those found during the paroxysmal stage. The presence of a pertussis-like cough along with an increase of certain specific white blood cells (lymphocytes) is suggestive of pertussis (whooping cough). However, cough can occur from other pertussis-like viruses. The most accurate method of diagnosis is to culture (grow on a laboratory plate) the organisms obtained from swabbing mucus out of the nasopharynx (the breathing tube continuous with the nose). B. pertussis can then be identified by examining the culture under a microscope. Treatment Treatment with the antibiotic erythromycin is helpful only at very early stages of whooping cough, during incubation and early in the catarrhal stage. After the cilia and the cells bearing those cilia, are damaged, the process cannot be reversed.

Such a patient will experience the full progression of whooping cough symptoms; symptoms will only improve when the old, damaged lining cells of the respiratory tract are replaced over time with new, healthy, cilia-bearing cells. However, treatment with erythromycin is still recommended, to decrease the likelihood of B. pertussis spreading. In fact, all members of the household where a patient with whooping cough lives should be treated with erythromycin to prevent the spread of B. pertussis throughout the community. The only other treatment is supportive, and involves careful monitoring of fluids to prevent dehydration , rest in a quiet, dark room to decrease paroxysms, and suctioning of mucus. Prognosis Just under 1% of all cases of whooping cough cause death.

Children who die of whooping cough usually have one or more of the following three conditions present: severe pneumonia, perhaps with accompanying encephalopathy extreme weight loss, weakness, and metabolic abnormalities due to persistent vomiting during paroxysms of coughing other pre-existing conditions, so that the patient is already in a relatively weak, vulnerable state (such conditions may include low birth weight babies, poor nutrition , infection with the measles virus, presence of other respiratory or gastrointestinal infections or diseases) Prevention The mainstay of prevention lies in programs similar to the mass immunization program in the United States which begins immunization inoculations when infants are two months old. The pertussis vaccine, most often given as one immunization together with diphtheria and tetanus , has greatly reduced the incidence of whooping cough. Unfortunately, there has been some concern about serious neurologic side effects from the vaccine itself. This concern led huge numbers of parents in England, Japan, and Sweden to avoid immunizing their children, which in turn has led to major epidemics of disease in those countries. However, several carefully constructed research studies have disproved the idea that the pertussis vaccine is the cause of neurologic damage.

Furthermore, a newer formulation of the pertussis vaccine is available. Unlike the old whole cell pertussis vaccine, which is composed of the entire bacterial cell which has been deactivated (and therefore unable to cause infection), the newer acellular pertussis vaccine does not use a whole cell of the bacteria, but is made up of (between two and five) chemical components of the B. pertussis bacteria. The acellular pertussis vaccine appears to greatly reduce the risk of unpleasant reactions to the vaccine, including high fever and discomfort following vaccination . Resources Periodicals Jenkinson, Douglas. "Natural Course of 500 Consecutive Casesof Whooping Cough: A General Practice Population Study." British Medical Journal310, no. 6975 (February 4, 1995): 299+. Key terms Cilia — Tiny, hair-like projections from a cell. In the respiratory tract, cilia beat constantly in order to move mucus and debris up and out of the respiratory tree, in order to protect the lung from infection or irritation by foreign bodies. Encephalopathy — Swelling and degeneration of the brain.

whooping cough [ho̳p´ing kof] an infectious disease characterized by catarrh of the respiratory tract and peculiar paroxysms of coughing, ending in a prolonged crowing or whooping respiration; the causative organism is Bordetella pertussis. Called also pertussis . Whooping cough is a serious and widespread disease, with about 300,000 cases a year reported in the United States. Although it may attack at any age, most cases occur in children under 10, and half of these are in children under 5. The organisms are spread by the victim's coughing and sneezing and by objects he has touched. The incubation period is usually about 7 days, although it may vary between 2 and 21 days. Unlike other respiratory diseases, whooping cough is more likely to occur in spring and summer than in winter. It affects females much more often than males. Symptoms. Whooping cough frequently starts with a running nose, a slight fever, and a persistent cough. This stage usually lasts about 2 weeks. After this, the child feels chilled and begins to vomit. His coughing increases.

He begins to cough in spells of eight to ten times in one breath. This forces the air from the lungs, and the face may turn purple or blue from the effort and the shortage of air. Finally he catches his breath in a long, noisy intake, or “whoop.” In the very young (under 6 months) the true whoop is often not present, even when paroxysms are severe and frequent. The coughing stage of the disease usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks, and the coughing may be very severe at night. Then the coughing spells become less frequent and less severe until the disease has run its course. Stage three (convalescent stage) may last from 4 months to 2 years. The coughing spells diminish but the patient usually experiences them again each time he has an upper respiratory infection. Complications of whooping cough include pneumonia, atelectasis, and emphysema; of these, pneumonia is the most serious, accounting for 90 per cent of the fatalities in young children. Brain damage, another complication, should be suspected if convulsive seizures occur in the pertussis patient. Immunization. An attack of whooping cough gives immunity but does not confer life-long immunity.

The vaccine usually is given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus and is available as a preparation that should be given intramuscularly, preferably in the lateral thigh. Treatment and Patient Care. Precautions against the spread of the disease entail following respiratory isolation precautions for 7 days after effective therapy is begun. Recommendations for preventive measures after exposure can be found in the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Hospital Personnel. Treatment is primarily supportive, including bed rest as long as the fever persists, antibiotics to avoid secondary infections, and antipyretics to control fever. In very serious cases, especially in infants, whooping cough may cause severe breathing difficulties. Suction may be necessary at frequent intervals to remove accumulations of mucus from the air passages. Fatalities, particularly in infants, are not uncommon. A proper diet is essential during whooping cough. Because vomiting may be a problem, small frequent feedings of bland foods are considered best.

per·tus·sis (per-tŭs'is), An acute infectious inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Bordetella pertussis; characterized by recurrent bouts of spasmodic coughing that continues until the breath is exhausted, then ending in a noisy inspiratory stridor (the "whoop") caused by laryngeal spasm. (ho͞o′pĭng, wo͞o′-, hwo͞o′-, ho͝op′ĭng) n. A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and is characterized in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations. Also called pertussis. whooping cough See pertussis .

whooping cough Pediatrics The characteristic cough of pertussis, which infects ± 60 million and kills 1 million/year worldwide, caused by the gram-negative nonmotile Bordetella pertussis; the 'whoop' occurs during the paroxysmal stage of infection–1-2 wks after onset, lasting 2-6 wks; a 'paroxysm' consists of 10-20 coughs of ↑ intensity, a deep inspiration–the 'whoop' after which a thick, viscid plug of mucus is expelled, occasionally with vomiting; the paroxysms may occur every1⁄2 hr, often accompanied by ↑ venous pressure, plethoric conjunctivae, periorbital edema, petechiae and epistaxis, infants may be cyanotic until relieved of the obstructing plug of mucus Management Supportive; young infants may need hospitalization if coughing is severe Prevention Immunization with DPT vaccine. See DTP .

per·tus·sis (pĕr-tŭs'is) An acute infectious inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Bordetella pertussis; characterized by recurrent bouts of spasmodic coughing that continues until the breath is exhausted, then ends in a noisy inspiratory stridor (the "whoop") caused by laryngeal spasm. [L. per, very (intensive), + tussis, cough] whooping cough An acute, highly infectious, disease of early childhood acquired by droplet infection and caused by the organism Bordetella pertussis . For the first 2 weeks the infection resembles a common cold but then a characteristic cough develops. There is a succession of short, rapid coughs with no time to draw breath between them. This is followed by a long, inspiration with a whooping sound. From 3 to 50 paroxysms of coughing may occur and these are very exhausting. The final paroxysm in a series is often followed by vomiting. The cough may persist for weeks.

Whooping cough may be complicated by OTITIS MEDIA , PNEUMONIA , collapse of part of a lung or seizures from lack of oxygen to the brain. Vomiting may interfere with nutrition. Antibiotics are of no value once the cough has developed but if given earlier reduce the severity of the disease. All babies should be immunized against whooping cough unless there is a sound medical objection. Also known as pertussis. whooping cough an infectious disease, common in children, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, in which there is firstly a range of symptoms similar to the common cold; these then develop into severe coughing, usually ending in a characteristic ‘whoop’ as air is breathed in. Frequently there is vomiting, and lung damage often occurs if ANTIBIOTICS such as erythromycin are not administered. In some cases, particularly in very young children, whooping cough can be fatal. whooping cough, n a bacterial disease triggered by Bordetella pertussis. The illness is characterized by the distinctive spasmodic cough, difficult-to-dislodge mucus, and general weakness.

per·tus·sis Pertussis | University of Maryland Medical Center Stage 2 lasts 1 to 6 weeks: Cough gets worse (2 to 50 times a day) and coughing spells last longer Cough may end with a "whooping" sound as the person tries to draw a breath (not all people make the "whoop" sound) Sudden intense bouts of coughing can cause bulging and tearing eyes, tongue sticking out, and bluish discoloration Vomiting or choking may follow coughing bouts Pneumonia may develop Stage 3 lasts 2 weeks to several months as the cough slowly goes away. What Causes It? Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. It is spread through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. It is a highly contagious disease. Adults with a mild form can infect people who have not yet been vaccinated. What to Expect at Your Doctor's Office Your doctor may be able to diagnose whooping cough by listening to your cough, however, whooping cough can be hard to diagnose in the early stages.

Your provider may take a smear from your nose or throat, and ask you to avoid contact with others while you are contagious. People with complications, severe coughing bouts, or who are under 2 years of age are hospitalized. Treatment Options Whooping cough can be deadly to a baby under 6 months of age, and can cause complications even in toddlers. A baby with pertussis should be treated immediately by a doctor. In adults, treatment is largely to control symptoms and prevent spreading. Quarantine, IV fluids and nutrition, oxygen, and a ventilator may be needed in some cases. Drug Therapies Antibiotics. Reduce the chance of giving whooping cough to someone else and help you get better faster. Azithromycin (Zithromax) or erythromycin are often prescribed. Corticosteroids such as betamethasone (0.075 mg daily per kilogram of body weight). May reduce severity and length of coughing fits, especially in infants. Albuterol (0.3 to 0.5 mg daily per kilogram of body weight). Reduces the severity of coughing fits.

Over-the-counter cough suppressants do not work and should not be used, especially in children under 2. Surgical and Other Procedures Doctors may suction secretions and use oxygen, IV fluids, and electrolytes in infants and adults who are at risk for longer illness. Mist by tent may help infants. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Someone with whooping cough needs antibiotics. DO NOT use herbs and supplements alone, especially for children. Supplements, herbs, and homeopathy may help you get better faster when used along with conventional medications. Always talk with your doctor if you are using alternative therapies in addition to medication, and work with a knowledgeable provider. Nutrition Give small, frequent meals of vegetable broths, steamed vegetables, and fresh fruit. Vitamin C, zinc, and beta-carotene. Be sure to use beta-carotene and not vitamin A. Ask your doctor before giving vitamin supplements to a child. Herbs Herbs are a way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to diagnose your problem before starting treatment.

You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, or teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted. DO NOT use herbs by themselves to treat whooping cough, especially in children. Make sure you have your pediatrician's approval before giving any herb to a child. There are no studies that use specific herbs to treat whooping cough. These herbs have been used traditionally to treat coughs and strengthen the immune system. All have side effects and can interact with other medications, so it is crucial to talk to your doctor or your pediatrician before using any herbs. Your doctor can advise you about whether these herbs would help you or your child, and can help you determine the right dose. Immune-stimulating herbs: Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea). Echinacea can interact with many medications.

People with plant allergies should not take echinacea. Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic can interact with many medications, including some medications used to treat HIV, and may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix). Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). Astragalus can interact with some medications, including lithium. Expectorants (help get rid of mucus): Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). Pregnant women should not take hyssop. Anise (Pimpinella anisum). Anise may interact with medications that affect hormones, including birth control pills and tamoxifen. Elecampane (Inula helenium). Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take elecampane. People who are allergic to ragweed, have diabetes, or high or low blood pressure should ask their doctor before taking elecampane. DO NOT take elecampane with any sedative medications. Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum) Antispasmodics: Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata).

Lobelia can be dangerous, so do not take it except under a doctor's close supervision. Catnip (Nepeta cataria). Catnip may cause nausea and vomiting in some people. It can interact with sedatives and lithium. It may also cause heavy periods. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). People who are allergic to ragweed should ask their doctor before taking chamomile. Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia erythrina). Jamaican dogwood can be dangerous, so do not take it except under a doctor's strict supervision. It should not be combined with sedative medications. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Thyme may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood thinners. Homeopathy Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies as supplemental treatment for the symptoms of pertussis as long as the underlying infection has been appropriately treated. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual. Aconite.

Take during the first 24 hours after symptoms appear, particularly if they develop following exposure to cold weather. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals with a hoarse, dry, cough who complain of dry mouth, thirst, restlessness, worsened symptoms from cold air or lying on the side, and being awakened from the cough. Bryonia. For painful cough with a marked tendency to hold their chest or hold something to the chest when coughing. Drosera. For dry, spasmodic cough with sharp chest pain and a tickling sensation in the throat that may cause the individual to gag, choke, or vomit. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals who tend to be hoarse, become worse when lying down, and perspire during the night. Hepar sulphuricum. For later stages of pertussis with wheezing, little mucus production, and coughing that comes on when any part of the body gets cold. Ipecacuanha. Spasmodic cough and gagging or vomiting. This remedy is commonly prescribed for infants. Phosphorus.

For several different types of cough, most particularly a dry, harsh cough described as a persistent tickle with sharp chest pain signified by the individual clutching their painful chest. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are often worn out and exhausted, have undue anxiety, even fear of death, and require a lot of reassurance. Spongia. For harsh, barking cough that produces no mucus and is associated with a tickling in the throat or chest that worsens when lying down and improves when the individual eats or drinks warm liquids. This remedy is often used when Aconite is unsuccessful. Physical Medicine Chest rubs. Use 3 to 6 drops of essential oil (camphor, thyme, eucalyptus, and rosemary) with 1 tbs. food-grade oil (coconut, almond, flax, or olive). Avoid getting essential oils in the eyes. Make sure the mixture is not too strong, as it could irritate the respiratory tract. DO NOT give essential oils by mouth because they can be toxic. Castor oil pack. Apply oil to clean soft cloth, place on chest, and cover with plastic wrap.

Place a heat source over the pack, and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. DO NOT use for more than 4 days in a row. DO NOT give castor oil by mouth (internally). Place 3 to 6 drops of essential oil in a humidifier or a warm bath. Alternate hot and cold applications to the chest or back. Alternate 3 minutes hot with 1 minute cold. Acupuncture Although acupuncture has not been studied for whooping cough, some people may use acupuncture to help strengthen the immune system. Massage Foot massage can be relaxing and may help a child sleep. Some children may not want to be touched, however. Following Up Most adults and children make a complete recovery. Special Considerations Vaccinations are 80 - 90% effective. They last about 12 years. Supporting Research Chaudhry R, Nagpaul-Chaudhry I, Buchta WG, Kircher KJ, Sampathkumar P. The prevention and treatment of pertussis. Manag Care Interface. 2007;20(2):43-46. Gregory DS. Pertussis: a disease affecting all ages. Am Fam Physician.

2006;74(3):420-426. Mooi FR, Van Der Maas NA, De Melker HE. Pertussis resurgence: waning immunity and pathogen adaption - two sides of the same coin. Epidemiol Infect. 2014; 142(4):685-94. Munoz FM. Pertussis in infants, children, and adolescents: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. 2006;17(1):14-19. Nelsen J, Ulbricht C, Barrette EP, Sollars D, Tsourounis C, Rogers A, Basch S, Hashmi S, Bent S, Basch E. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) monograph: a clinical decision support tool. J Herb Pharmacother. 2002;2(3):49-72. Nilsson L, Lepp T, von Segebaden K, Hallander H, Gustafsson L.

Pertusis vaccination in infancy lowers the incidence of pertussis disease and rate of hospitalisation after one and two doses: analyses of 10 years of pertussis surveillance. Vaccine. 2012; 30(21):3239-47. Nooitgedagt JE, Warris A, Liem KD, van 't Hek L, Henriet SS. Pertussis in young infants: a dangerous disease with non-specific signs. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2013; 157(4):A5573. Posfay-Barbe KM. Whooping cough: a diagnosis one shouldn't forget. Rev Med Suisse. 2006;2(54):503-6, 509-511. Raguckas SE, VandenBussche HL, Jacobs C, Klepser ME. Pharmacotherapy. 2007;27(1):41-52. Spector TB, Maziarz EK. Pertussis. Med Clin North Am.

2013; 97(4):537-552. Zamir CS, Dahan DB, Shoob H. Pertussis in infants under one year old: risk markers and vaccination status--a case-control study. Vaccine. 2015; 33(17):2073-8. Zoorob R, Sidani MA, Fremont RD, Kihlberg C. Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections. Am Fam Physician. 2012; 86(9):817-822. Alternative Names Whooping Cough: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention Low fever (below 102 F) You may also have diarrhea early on. After about 7-10 days, the cough turns into “ coughing spells” that end with a whooping sound as the person tries to breathe in air. Because the cough is dry and doesn't produce mucus, these spells can last up to 1 minute. Sometimes it can cause your face to briefly turn red or purple. Most people with whooping cough have coughing spells, but not everyone does.

Infants may not make the whooping sound or even cough, but they might gasp for air or try to catch their breath during these spells. Some may vomit. Sometimes adults with the condition just have a cough that won’t go away. Children and Whooping Cough Whooping cough is dangerous in babies, especially ones younger than 6 months old. In severe cases, they may need to go to an ER. If you think your child might have it, see your doctor right away. Children under the age of 18 months with whooping cough should be watched at all times, because the coughing spells can make them stop breathing. Young babies with bad cases may need hospital care, too. Help protect your child by making sure he and any adult who's around him often gets vaccinated. For older children and adults, the outlook is usually very good. Treatment If doctors diagnose whooping cough early on, antibiotics can help cut down coughing and other symptoms. They can also help prevent the infection from spreading to others. Most people are diagnosed too late for antibiotics to work well, though.

Don't use over-the-counter cough medicines, cough suppressants , or expectorants (medicines that make you cough up mucus) to treat whooping cough. They don't work. If your coughing spells are so bad that they keep you from drinking enough fluids, you risk dehydration . Call your doctor right away. Continued Whooping Cough: What Happens If a person with whooping cough sneezes, laughs, or coughs, small droplets that contain the bacteria may fly through the air. You might get sick when you breathe the droplets. When the bacteria get into your airways, they attach to the tiny hairs in the linings of the lungs . The bacteria cause swelling and inflammation , which lead to a dry, long-lasting cough and other cold-like symptoms. Whooping cough can cause anyone at any age to get sick. It may last 3 to 6 weeks. You can get sick from it even if you've already been vaccinated, but that's not likely. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Renee A.

Alli, MD on March 01, 2016 Sources SOURCES: CDC: “Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Diagnosis and Treatment;” “Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination;” and “Protect Babies from Whooping Cough (Pertussis).” HealthyChildren.org: “Whooping Cough.” 4 Interesting Facts About Pertussis | HRFnd 4 Interesting Facts About Pertussis 4 Interesting Facts About Pertussis Feb 14, 2015 674 Pertussis is more commonly known as whooping cough due to the sound of someone trying to catch their breath after a coughing fit. The infection can last up to ten weeks, which leads to its other name of the 100 day cough. A severe decrease in the number of diagnoses cases in the United States was noticed in the late 1950’s, but in recent years the disease has been on the rise again. 1. Danger of Pertussis Children and adults are both prone to get pertussis. The disease is particularly dangerous in infants. Most infants with pertussis are hospitalized.

Children and adults may also be hospitalized if the symptoms are severe enough. The coughing fits caused by the disease may lead to cracked ribs or pneumonia. 2. Working on Methods of Eradication One of the reasons for the sharp decline of whooping cough was the development of an infant and childhood vaccine. It was recently discovered that the vaccine wears off in time, leaving teens and adults vulnerable to pertussis. A booster shot is now recommended for adults, particularly those who come in contact with infants. Whooping cough is highly contagious. It is especially dangerous for anyone with whooping cough to be around infants who have not yet been vaccinated. Even vaccinated infants and adults can contract the disease, but the vaccination usually makes the symptoms less severe. A person who is carrying the disease is contagious even before symptoms appear. 3. Commonly Experienced Symptoms In its early stages, pertussis symptoms closely resemble that of the common cold or bronchitis. Due to this, many cases go undiagnosed. Severe coughing fits can make it difficult to eat, sleep, or breathe properly. A person may have pertussis even if they are not making the “whooping” noise that most people recognize as the main symptom of the disease. 4.

Methods of Prevention Pertussis is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. All parents are strongly encouraged to have their child vaccinated for their own safety and that of those around them. Infants who contract whooping cough often suffer from severe complications. These complications may even lead to death. Pregnant women should be vaccinated against pertussis as a means of protecting the infant. However, no immunity is passed from the mother to the child. This leaves babies vulnerable to the disease at birth. Any other children or adults in the household should also be immunized. If you contract pertussis, you will gain temporary immunity after you recover. As with the vaccine, however, this protection fades over time. Booster shots are still recommended in order to suppress the disease. The cough from pertussis may persist for up to ten weeks. A person is no longer contagious, however, three weeks after they have started to show symptoms. There are antibiotic treatments available. These treatments help control the symptoms of the disease. They also help prevent the disease from spreading. If you or your child has whooping cough, you should limit contact with other people as much as possible, particularly avoiding infants less than 12 months old.

You will no longer be contagious three weeks after the coughing starts or five days after beginning an antibiotic treatment. Whooping Cough: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Medical News Today Whooping Cough: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Written by Christian Nordqvist 4.5 Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is an extremely contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough is called the 100 days' cough in some countries. In many patients there is a distinctive hacking cough which is followed by a high-pitched gasp for air that sounds like a "whoop," hence the name. Before the development of a vaccine, whooping cough was mainly a disease of childhood. Today, it mainly affects children who are too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations, as well as adolescents whose immunity has waned. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, typically affects children who are too young to have been fully vaccinated for the disease. Before vaccines, approximately 157 people per 100,000 developed whooping cough in the USA (reported cases). There were peaks every two to five years.

In 93% of cases, they were children under 10. Experts say the real incidence at that time was much higher (not all cases were reported). After the introduction of mass vaccinations in the 1940s, whooping cough rates dropped to less than 1 per 100,000 by 1970. However, since 1980 numbers have started to creep back up slightly. In developed nations, whooping cough mortality rates are extremely low, and occur almost exclusively among infants. It is vital that pregnant mothers, as well as those who are in close contact with infants (newborns and babies up to 12 months of age), be vaccinated against pertussis. Whooping cough affects approximately 48.5 million people every year, of whom 295,000 die. According to WHO (World Health Organization), pertussis is one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths globally. The majority of cases (over 90%) occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Prevention of whooping cough Symptoms of whooping cough A symptom is something the patient feels and describes to the doctor or those around him/her, while a sign is something the doctor, nurse or others can see/detect. An example of a symptom is pain, while watering eyes could be a sign. Whooping cough symptoms usually appear between six to twenty days after the Bordetella pertussis bacterium has infected the patient, in other words, pertussis has 6-to-20 day incubation period. The illness starts off with mild symptoms, which then get much worse before improving. Initial signs and symptoms of pertussis are similar to those of the common cold: Blocked nose Watery eyes. The above signs and symptoms are typical during the first week, after which they become more severe. Paroxysmal symptoms (more severe, suddenly intensifying symptoms) During this second "paroxysmal stage", there are extremely intense episodes of coughing, often called "paroxysms of coughing". Symptoms include: Severe bouts of coughing - a bout can last a couple of minutes. Sometimes, each bout comes so soon after the last that the patient and those around him/her witness cluster bouts that last for tens of minutes.

There are typically ten to 15 bouts each day. Coughing with phlegm During a bout of coughing, the patient eventually gasps for air between coughs and also immediately after the bout is over, producing a "whoop" sound. This is less common in very young children and babies - they may gag or gasp, or even stop breathing temporarily. During a coughing bout young children may become blue in the face (cyanosis). Although frightening for parents, it is virtually never as bad as it looks and breathing soon resumes. (This video contains scenes that some viewers may find distressing) Coughing bouts followed by vomiting (more frequent among young children and babies) Exhaustion and a red face after an episode of coughing. In adults and teenagers, whooping cough paroxysmal symptoms are less severe than in babies and young kids - they are usually similar to the symptoms found in bronchitis . In very rare cases, whooping cough can cause sudden unexpected death in babies. Whooping cough - Recovery stage In this stage the patient starts showing signs of recovery. There are fewer bouts of coughing, which are also less intense. The recovery stage can take three or more months.

Even in this stage, the patient can experience bouts of intense coughing. On the next page, we look at causes of whooping cough and the methods of diagnosis for the condition. Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Home | CDC ShareCompartir Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old. The best way to protect against pertussis is by getting vaccinated. English | en Español

Question: By what name is the medical condition Pertussis more commonly known?
Answer: Whooping Cough